In my ongoing quest for finding new and shiny things, I came across the Sennheiser TeamConnect Wireless product range.

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Overview

Sennheiser’s TeamConnect Wireless is a portable conference system providing audio by means of either USB, Bluetooth, 3.5mm jack or NFC (Near Field Communication technology). This variety of connectivity options allows BYOC (bring your own conference [just made that up]). Be it a laptop, smart device or Surface Hub, connecting is simple. This sleek design and flexibility makes for a classy solution. With up to four satellites you got the room covered.

Want a more permanent setup? The tray set is the answer. With the 2 or 4 satellite solution quietly resting in the tray, charging away, you could be forgiven for thinking that it was part of the décor, some piece of art innocently placed to balance the room.

There are 3 different options: –

TeamConnect Wireless (case set): Sennheiser TeamConnect Wireless – this option is portable and comes in a neat, hard shell carry case that also doubles as a charging station.

TeamConnect Wireless – Tray Set: It features one master unit and three slave satellites plus the stationary tray charger. The Tray Set is designed for smaller rooms of up to 24 participants.

TeamConnect – Tray-M (M for midsized): The Tray-M Set is a smaller version of the Tray Set. It features one master unit and one satellite plus the stationary tray charger. The Tray-M Set is designed for smaller rooms of up to 12 participants.

Suggestions for improvement

Would be great to have a disconnect\end call button on the units. Seems like an oversight as there is no way to end the call from them.

Why not certified for SFB\Teams?

Comment from Sennheiser:

“TeamConnect Wireless works with Skype for Business (as with other UC platforms without limitations. Microsoft changed the requirements for the S4B certification, due to the new category of “Skype Room System”. This follows the approach of a fixed, installed solution in dedicated rooms. Since this concept contradicts with the wireless, flexible concept for audio conferencing of TC-W, a certification is not possible”

In conclusion

It’s a beautifully designed product, what you would expect to see with Sennheiser. Also, it just works. Only real challenge is the price point, but again, if you took all the hours wasted on getting audio setup correctly you could easily justify spending USD 3,900.

Firstly, I’d like to mention that I have had this device for just over 4 months. Usually I would have written a review long before now, but I have learnt that very often the first few months of any new product are prone to hiccups.

I am glad I waited, the latest (as of writing) firmware version 218 has resolved an issue that is related to Skype for Business. I will mention the issues I had at the end of this post.

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First impression was that it looks very elegant. Comes in either a white or Grey finish. The Over-the-head band is substantially more robust in look and feel. Its well padded Over-the-head with a breathable type of material finish resting on your head. The ear cup cushioning is soft and comfortable.

Highlights

I really liked that there are 2 levels of ANC, 1 for Office and another for noisy environments

Smart sensors allow you to answer calls by simply putting on the headset and automatically mute your calls or pause your music by taking it off

The controls have been well thought out and repeat the layout of the Voyager Focus UC.

A 3.5mm jack! So stoked that this has been included as it extends the usability massively

Open Mic to amplify background noise, I don’t use this too much but it is a nice feature I have played with from time to time. I feel like it amplifies my hearing

No boom microphone! This is only the second headset I have reviewed without a boom. Last time around I was just a little disappointed BUT Plantronics have done a great job with the 8200 UC. Its really set a new benchmark and in my opinion leads the market in this specific respect. A pair of dual Omni-direction microphones make this possible

Dynamic mute alert detects and notifies you when you talk while on mute

Doubles as a business headset and a music headset, don’t discount this fact!

The battery just goes on and on! I have had 2 days of good use (about 5-6 hours each) and 26 days on standby on my current charge..its still going!

The soft case is classy and I do like the additional pocket that stows away cabling. Which by the way , comes with a USB cable, 3.5mm cable, USB dongle and a flight adaptor

Testing included hundreds of Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams calls as well as at least 250 hours of listening to music on Spotify (via a combination of PC and iPhone)

I found that the call quality was really good. When in the office I didn’t really need ANC enabled but it certainly reduced the office noise callers were usually hearing when calling me. Working from the local Coffee Brewers I cranked up the ANC (very noisy environment) and although the audio experience was slightly less natural, the ANC took care of the noise so well that I could continue my conversation.

I also noticed that the inside surface of the ear cup is smooth and covered in a slightly padded material. So when your ear makes contact with the inner surface its not irritating.

Specifications

Talk Time

Up to 20 hours

Standby Time

Up to 1 month

Range

Up to 30 Meters\98 Feet

Frequency

Bluetooth v4.1

Audio Performance

Active Noise Canceling

Call Answer/End

Yes

Volume +/-

Yes

Earpiece/Headset Weight

289 grams\10 oz

Wireless Technology

Bluetooth

Connectivity

Bluetooth/3.5mm

Connects To

PC, Tablet and Mobile

Skype for Business Certified

Yes

Lync/Skype for Business

Yes

Device Type

Bluetooth

Speaker Style

Binaural

Wearing Style

Over-the-head

Microphone

Noise-canceling

Headset Family

Plantronics Bluetooth

High Density Environments

Yes

Integrated Busylight

No

Digital Encryption

128-Bit

Limited Warranty

1 year

USB Port

Yes

Mute

Yes

Digital Signal Processing

Yes

PC Wideband Audio

Yes

Suggestions for improvement

I would like to see an option for a hard case like the BackBeat PRO 2 SE has. I am even prepared to pay extra for that. It’s probably not necessary but would certainly give me peace of mind when I am out and about.

I think it may be worth providing a larger ear cup option to avoid any wear fatigue with persons having a slightly larger ear. The inside of the cups measures 60mm\2.36in, this is the same size as other units I have tested so this seems to be a norm across most brands.

The only negative I can really mention is that this is not an entry level unit and so comes at a price and its not cheap. However, in this category its still one of the more affordable headsets.

NOTE

Do update the firmware when you receive your Plantronics Voyager 8200 UC. I got mine on the initial release firmware 115. After a lot of testing I was stumped by a clicking noise on Skype for Business calls. The good folks at Plantronics replaced the unit promptly but the issue continued. Once I updated to firmware version 218 the 8200 UC was brilliant!